Seat back locking device and vehicle seat

Abstract

The strap that releases the rotational restriction on the seatback prevents it from tilting in the direction of the seat width. [Solution] The seat back locking device 50 includes a lock body 52 provided on the side of the seat back which is rotatably connected to the vehicle body, which engages with a striker provided on the side of the vehicle body and has a lock release member 60 which releases the engagement when operated upward on the seat, a strap 64 inserted along the vertical direction of the seat through a through hole formed in the shoulder of the seat back, a rod 62 connecting the lock release member 60 and the strap 64, and a rod guide portion 36D which is made of a wire frame 36 which is part of the seat back frame 18, which engages with the rod 62 and allows displacement of the rod 62 in the vertical direction of the seat and restricts displacement of the rod 62 in the width direction of the seat.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat, and particularly to a locking device for a seat back.

Background Art

[0002] The vehicle seat disclosed in Patent Document 1 below includes a locking mechanism that restricts rotation of the seat back with respect to the vehicle body, and a unlocking mechanism that releases the rotation restriction of the seat back by the locking mechanism. The unlocking mechanism operates by pulling a strap provided on the seat back upward above the seat. The strap is inserted through a through-hole formed in the shoulder of the seat back and protrudes upward above the seat from the shoulder of the seat back.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above prior art, since the strap is inclined outward in the seat width direction, there is room for improvement from the viewpoint of improving the appearance quality.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to obtain a locking device for a seat back and a vehicle seat that can suppress the inclination of a strap that releases the rotation restriction of the seat back in the seat width direction.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The seat back locking device of the first embodiment includes a lock body provided on the side of the seat back of a vehicle seat, which engages with a striker provided on the side of the vehicle body and has a release member that releases the engagement when operated upward on the seat; a strap inserted through a through hole formed in the shoulder of the seat back along the vertical direction of the seat; a rod connecting the release member and the strap; and a rod guide portion formed from a part of the frame of the seat back, which engages with the rod and allows displacement of the rod in the vertical direction of the seat and restricts displacement of the rod in the width direction of the seat.

[0007] In the first embodiment of the seat back locking device, a locking body provided on the side of the seat back, which is rotatably connected to the vehicle body, engages with a striker provided on the side of the vehicle body. This restricts the rotation of the seat back. A release member of the locking body is operated upward on the seat to release the engagement. This releases the restriction on the rotation of the seat back. A strap is inserted through a through hole formed in the shoulder of the seat back, along the vertical direction of the seat. This strap and the release member are connected by a rod. A rod guide portion, which is part of the frame, engages with this rod. This rod guide portion allows displacement of the rod in the vertical direction of the seat and restricts displacement of the rod in the width direction of the seat. This prevents the rod from tilting in the width direction of the seat, and thus prevents the strap from tilting in the width direction of the seat due to the tilt of the rod.

[0008] In the second embodiment of the seat back locking device, the frame has a wire frame to which a part of the trim cover of the seat back is locked, and the rod guide portion is formed by bending a part of the wire frame.

[0009] In the second embodiment of the seat back locking device, a portion of the wire frame to which a portion of the seat back trim cover is locked is bent to form a rod guide portion. Therefore, the rod guide portion can be provided simply by changing the shape of the existing wire frame, and there is no need to add any new parts.

[0010] In the third embodiment of the seatback locking device, the strap is connected to the middle portion of the rod, and the rod guide is engaged with the tip of the rod, as in the first or second embodiment.

[0011] In the third embodiment of the seatback locking device, a strap is connected to the middle of the rod, and the tip of the rod engages with the rod guide, so that when the strap is pulled, the tip of the rod is supported by the rod guide. This makes it easier to ensure the strength of the rod.

[0012] In the fourth embodiment of the seatback locking device, in the first or second embodiment, the strap is connected to the tip of the rod, and the rod guide is engaged with the middle portion of the rod.

[0013] In the seatback locking device of the fourth embodiment, a strap is connected to the tip of the rod and the middle part of the rod engages with the rod guide, making it easier to connect the strap to the tip of the rod compared to a configuration in which the strap is connected to the middle part of the rod.

[0014] The seatback locking device of the fifth embodiment includes an actuator that displaces the rod upward on the seat in any one of the first to fourth embodiments.

[0015] In the fifth embodiment of the seatback locking device, the rod can be displaced upward on the seat by an actuator, thereby releasing the restriction on the rotation of the seatback.

[0016] A vehicle seat of the sixth embodiment comprises a seat cushion on which a vehicle occupant sits, a seat back that is rotatably connected to the vehicle body and supports the back of the occupant, and a seat back locking device of any one of the first to fifth embodiments, in which the locking body is provided on the side of the seat back and the strap is inserted through a through hole formed in the shoulder of the seat back.

[0017] In the sixth embodiment of the vehicle seat, the back of the occupant seated on the seat cushion is supported by a seat back. This seat back is rotatably connected to the vehicle body. A locking body for a seat back locking device is provided on the side of the seat back, and a strap for this locking device is inserted through a through hole formed in the shoulder of the seat back. Since this locking device is of any one of the first to fifth embodiments, the aforementioned effects are obtained. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] As described above, the seat back locking device and vehicle seat according to the present invention can prevent the strap that releases the rotation restriction of the seat back from tilting in the seat width direction. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing a vehicle seat according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the frame and locking device of the seat back of a vehicle seat according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a magnified portion of the configuration. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a portion of the configuration in a disassembled state. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view illustrating the displacement of the rod of the locking device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view illustrating the displacement restriction of the rod of the locking device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a plan sectional view showing a configuration of a peripheral member including a part of a lock device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] It is a side sectional view showing a configuration of a peripheral member including a part of a lock device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] It is a front view showing a configuration of a peripheral member including a part of a lock device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] It is a sectional view for explaining an engagement between a pad and a rod of a seat back in a comparative example. [Figure 11] It is a sectional view showing a state where a strap is inclined due to an engagement between a pad and a rod of a seat back in a comparative example. [Figure 12] It is a perspective view showing a configuration around a lock device of a seat back in a vehicle seat according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] It is an exploded perspective view showing a state where a part of the configuration shown in FIG. 12 is disassembled. [Figure 14] It is a perspective view for explaining displacement of a rod of a lock device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 15] It is a perspective view for explaining displacement limitation of a rod of a lock device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 16] It is a front view showing a non-operating state of an actuator of a lock device according to a comparative example. [Figure 17] It is a front view showing an operating state of an actuator of a lock device according to a comparative example and showing a state where a stroke amount of a rod is insufficient due to inclination of the rod. [Figure 18] It is a perspective view showing a frame and a lock device of a seat back of a vehicle seat according to the third embodiment. [Figure 19] It is an exploded perspective view showing a state where a part of the configuration shown in FIG. 18 is disassembled. [Figure 20] It is a perspective view for explaining displacement of a rod of a lock device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 21]This is a front view illustrating the displacement restriction of the rod of the locking device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 22] This is a side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of peripheral members, including a part of the locking device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 23] This is a front view showing the configuration of peripheral members, including a part of the locking device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 24] This is a perspective view showing the configuration around the seat back locking device in a vehicle seat according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 25] Figure 24 is a perspective view showing a disassembled version of part of the configuration shown. [Figure 26] This is a perspective view illustrating the displacement of the rod of the locking device according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 27] This is a perspective view illustrating the displacement restriction of the rod of the locking device according to the fourth embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0020] <First Embodiment> Hereinafter, a vehicle seat 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 9. In each figure, some reference numerals may be omitted for the sake of clarity. The arrows FR, LH, RH, and UP, as indicated in each figure, indicate the front, left, right, and top of the vehicle seat 10, respectively. Hereafter, when simply referring to the front, back, left, right, up, and down directions, these directions will be used to indicate the direction relative to the vehicle seat 10.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle seat 10 is a split-folding rear seat for three people, comprising a seat cushion 12 on which the occupants sit, a seat back 14 that supports the occupants' backs, and three headrests 16 that support the occupants' heads. The seat back 14 is divided into a right seat back 14R for two people and a left seat back 14L for one person. The right seat back 14R and the left seat back 14L are each rotatably connected to the floor of the vehicle body via hinge brackets (not shown), and can be folded forward onto the seat cushion 12.

[0022] The left and right seatbacks 14R and 14L are each provided with a locking device 50 (see Figures 2 to 6) for restraining the left and right seatbacks 14R and 14L to the side of the vehicle body (not shown) in the upright position (the position shown in Figure 1; hereinafter referred to as the "upright position"). Each locking device 50 corresponds to the "seatback locking device" in the present invention.

[0023] Each locking device 50 consists of a locking body 52 provided on the left and right outer sides of the left and right seatbacks 14R and 14L, a strap 64 provided on the left and right outer shoulders S of the left and right seatbacks 14R and 14L, a rod 62 connecting the strap 64 and the locking body 52, and a rod guide portion 36D into which the rod 62 engages. The locking body 52 has a latch (not shown) that engages with a striker (not shown) provided on the side of the vehicle body. This engagement restricts the rotation of the left and right seatbacks 14R and 14L relative to the vehicle body and restrains them in the upright position.

[0024] Furthermore, since the configuration around the locking device 50 on the left and right seatbacks 14R and 14L is basically the same except for being symmetrical, the configuration of the right seatback 14R will be described below, and the description of the left seatback 14L will be omitted. Also, when describing the front, back, left, right, up, and down directions below, the directions will be those when the seatback 14R is in the upright position.

[0025] The right-side seatback 14R comprises a frame 18 (see Figure 2), which is a structural member; a pad 40 (see Figure 1), which is a cushioning material; and a trim cover 42 (see Figure 1), which is the surface material. The frame 18 is constructed in a frame-like shape by joining together, for example, metal pipes or press-formed metal plates.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, the frame 18 includes an upper frame portion 20 extending in the left-right direction at the upper end of the seat back 14R, a lower frame portion 22 extending in the left-right direction at the lower end of the seat back 14R, a right side frame portion 24 extending in the up-down direction at the right end of the seat back 14R, a left side frame portion 26 extending in the up-down direction at the left end of the seat back 14R, and an intermediate frame portion 28 extending in the up-down direction at the middle of the seat back 14R in the left-right direction.

[0027] The pad 40 is made of a foam material such as urethane foam and is attached to the frame 18. The pad 40 is rectangular when viewed from the front-to-rear direction of the seat back 14R and is a roughly rectangular plate with the front-to-rear direction of the seat back 14 as the thickness direction. The trim cover 42 is formed into a bag shape by sewing together multiple surface pieces made of, for example, cloth, leather, or synthetic leather, and is placed over the pad 40 from above.

[0028] As shown in Figures 2 to 6, an upper bracket 30 made of press-formed metal plate is fixed to the right end of the upper frame portion 20 of the frame 18. A lock bracket 32 ​​made of press-formed metal plate is fixed to the upper part of the right side frame portion 24.

[0029] The upper bracket 30 is positioned above the upper frame section 20. A wire frame 36 made of bent metal wire is fixed to the upper bracket 30. The lock bracket 32 ​​is positioned to the right of the right side frame section 24. The lock body 52 of the locking device 50 is fixed to the lock bracket 32.

[0030] The wire frame 36 integrally comprises a right side portion 36A extending in the front-rear direction on the right side of the upper bracket 30, a left side portion 36B extending in the front-rear direction on the left side of the upper bracket 30, a front portion 36C extending in the left-right direction on the front side of the upper bracket 30, and a rod guide portion 36D extending downward between the front portion 36C and the left side portion 36B. This wire frame 36 constitutes a part of the frame 18.

[0031] The right side section 36A and the left side section 36B are fixed to the upper bracket 30 by means of welding or other means. The front section 36C is positioned spaced forward of the upper bracket 30. A portion of the trim cover 42 (see Figure 1) is attached to this front section 36C.

[0032] The rod guide section 36D is formed by a part of the wire frame 36 being bent downwards, giving it a roughly U-shape. This rod guide section 36D has a front section 36D1 extending downwards from the left end of the front section 36C, and a rear section 36D2 extending downwards from the front end of the left side section 36B, with the lower end of the front section 36D1 and the lower end of the rear section 36D2 being connected.

[0033] The lock body 52 has a housing 54 fixed to the lock bracket 32. The housing 54 is made of a press-formed metal plate and is formed into a roughly box shape with its longitudinal direction in the vertical direction and flattened in the horizontal direction.

[0034] As shown in Figure 4, two bolt holes 56 are formed at the rear of the housing 54, one above the other. Two bolts 58 are inserted through the two bolt holes 56. These bolts 58 are screwed into two weld nuts 34, one above the other, which are fixed to the lock bracket 32. In this way, the housing 54, or the lock body 52, is fastened and fixed to the lock bracket 32, or the frame 18.

[0035] The housing 54 contains mechanical components such as a latch (not shown). These mechanical components include a release member 60 (see Figures 3 to 5). The release member 60 is located on the upper front side of the housing 54 and is displaceably mounted relative to the housing 54. When the release member 60 is operated upward, the engagement between the latch and a striker (not shown) located on the right side of the vehicle body is released. This release releases the restriction on the rotation of the seat back 14R, allowing the seat back 14R to be tilted forward onto the seat cushion 12.

[0036] A rod 62 is connected to the unlocking member 60. The rod 62 is made of a bent metal wire. As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the rod 62 is made up of a longitudinal extension 62A extending upward from the unlocking member 60, a first transverse extension 62B extending to the left (inward in the sheet width direction) from the upper end of the longitudinal extension 62A, an oblique extension 62C extending diagonally upward and to the left from the left end of the first transverse extension 62B, a second transverse extension 62D extending to the left from the upper end of the oblique extension 62C, and a guide engaging portion 62E extending to the right from the left end of the second transverse extension 62D and curved in an arc shape, convex toward the front.

[0037] The longitudinal extension 62A constitutes the base end of the rod 62, the first transverse extension 62B, the oblique extension 62C, and the second transverse extension 62D constitute the middle section of the rod 62, and the guide engagement portion 62E constitutes the tip of the rod 62. The lower end of the strap 64 is connected to the second transverse extension 62D.

[0038] The strap 64 is made of a long, strip-shaped material, such as a synthetic fiber, and is flexible. The strap 64 is inserted vertically through a through hole (not shown) formed in the shoulder S of the seat back 14R. This strap 64 is inserted through an escutcheon 46 (see Figure 1) provided on the upper surface of the shoulder S of the seat back 14R and is pulled out to the outside of the seat back 14R (the upper side of the seat back 14R). The escutcheon 46 is formed in a frame shape, for example, from resin.

[0039] The lower end of the strap 64 is wrapped around the second transverse extension 62D of the rod 62, and the portions before and after the wrapping are sewn together. In this way, the lower end of the strap 64 is connected to the second transverse extension 62D of the rod 62, and the strap 64 and the lock release member 60 are connected via the rod 62. When the strap 64 is pulled upward by the occupant, the rod 62 is displaced from the non-operational position shown by the dashed line in Figures 5 and 6 to the operational position shown by the solid line in Figures 5 and 6. As a result, the lock release member 60 is displaced upward relative to the housing 54, and the engagement between the latch and the striker is released.

[0040] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, when the rod 62 is in the non-operation position, the second transverse extension 62D of the rod 62 is in contact with a portion 40A of the pad 40 of the seat back 14R from above and from the rear. In this state, the portion of the strap 64 that is wrapped around the second transverse extension 62D is in contact with a portion 40A of the pad 40 from above and from the rear.

[0041] The guide engagement portion 62E of this rod 62 engages (in this case, makes point contact with) the front portion 36D1 of the rod guide portion 36D of the wire frame 36, as described above, from the left side. As a result, the rod 62 is allowed to be displaced vertically (see arrow D in Figure 5), while displacement to the right (outward in the sheet width direction) (see arrow R in Figure 6) and to the rear is restricted.

[0042] As shown in Figure 9, when the strap 64 is pulled upward, the lower end of the first longitudinal extension 62A of the rod 62 (i.e., the connection to the lock release member 60) becomes the fixed point, the second transverse extension 62D becomes the point of action, and the guide engagement portion 62E becomes the fulcrum.

[0043] In the vehicle seat 10 with the above configuration, the back of the occupant seated on the seat cushion 12 is supported by the seat back 14R. This seat back 14R is rotatably connected to the vehicle body. A locking body 52 of a locking device 50 is provided on the side of the seat back 14R. When this locking body 52 engages with a striker provided on the side of the vehicle body, the rotation of the seat back 14R is restricted. When the lock release member 60 of this locking body 52 is operated upward, the above engagement is released, and the restriction on the rotation of the seat back 14R is released.

[0044] A strap 64 is inserted vertically through a through-hole formed in the shoulder area S of the seat back 14R. The strap 64 and the unlocking member 60 are connected by a rod 62. This rod 62 is in contact with a part 40A of the pad 40 of the seat back 14R. A rod guide portion 36D, which is formed from a part of the frame 18 of the seat back 14R, engages with this rod 62. This rod guide portion 36D allows vertical displacement of the rod 62 and restricts displacement of the rod 62 to the right (outward in the seat width direction). As a result, tilting of the rod 62 in the seat width direction is suppressed, and therefore, tilting of the strap 64 in the seat width direction due to the tilting of the rod 62 is suppressed.

[0045] Furthermore, in a configuration without a rod guide portion 36D, as shown in the comparative example in Figure 10, the rod 62 tilts outward in the seat width direction due to engagement (contact) with a part 40A of the pad 40, as shown in Figure 11. This tilt of the rod 62 causes the strap 64 to tilt inward in the seat width direction, but this can be avoided in this embodiment. Moreover, since the tilt of the rod 62 can be prevented from tilting outward in the seat width direction when the strap 64 is operated upward, it is possible to prevent the upward stroke amount of the rod 62 from becoming insufficient due to the tilt of the rod 62, which would prevent the lock body 52 from being released.

[0046] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a portion of the wire frame 36 to which a part of the trim cover 42 of the seat back 14R is locked is bent to form the rod guide portion 36D. Therefore, the rod guide portion 36D can be provided simply by changing the shape of the existing wire frame 36, and there is no need to add any new parts.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the rod 62 is in a non-operational position, the portion of the strap 64 that wraps around the rod 62 is in contact with a part 40A of the pad 40 from above and from the rear. This prevents the strap 64 from shifting position in the lateral direction relative to the rod 62 (see arrow M in Figure 7).

[0048] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the rod 62 is in a non-operational position, the second lateral extension 62D of the rod 62 is in contact with a portion 40A of the pad 40 of the seat back 14R from above and from the rear. As a result, the rod 62 receives reaction forces from below and from the front by the portion 40A of the pad 40 (see arrows F1 and F2 in Figure 8), which suppresses rattling of the rod 62 in the vertical and longitudinal directions, and prevents the generation of abnormal noise due to such rattling.

[0049] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the strap 64 is connected to the second transverse extension 62D, which constitutes a part of the middle section of the rod 62, and the guide engagement portion 62E, which is the tip of the rod 62, engages with the rod guide portion 36D. Therefore, when the strap 64 is pulled (see arrow U in Figure 9), the tip of the rod 62 is supported by the rod guide portion 36D. This makes it easier to ensure the strength of the rod 62.

[0050] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the guide engagement portion 62E of the rod 62 is in point contact with the rod guide portion 36D, the resistance when stroking the rod 62 from the non-operating position to the operating position is small. This reduces the influence on the operating load of the strap 64. Moreover, since the metal rod 62 is in contact with the metal rod guide portion 36D, it is easier to prevent deterioration over time compared to, for example, the case where the rod guide portion is made of resin.

[0051] Next, other embodiments of the present invention will be described. Note that components and operations that are essentially the same as those described in the previously described embodiments will be given the same reference numerals and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0052] <Second Embodiment> Figures 12 and 13 show the configuration of the area surrounding the seat back locking device 80 in a vehicle seat according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in perspective view and exploded perspective view, respectively. This locking device 80 has an actuator 88 that displaces the rod 62 upward. The actuator 88 has an actuator body 90 fixed to the housing 54 of the lock body 52 using two rivets 74, one above and one below, and a movable part 92 attached to the upper part of the actuator body 90.

[0053] The actuator body 90 is configured to displace the movable part 92 vertically by the driving force of a motor (not shown). The actuator body 90 has an opposing wall 90A that is spaced apart from the rear of the movable part 92. The first lateral extension 62B of the rod 62 is positioned between the movable part 92 and the opposing wall 90A. When the movable part 92 is displaced upward by the driving force of the actuator body 90, the rod 62 is pushed up to the operating position by the movable part 92, and the lock of the lock body 52 (i.e., the restriction of rotation of the seat back 14R) is released.

[0054] The guide engagement portion 62E of the rod 62 engages (in this case, makes point contact) with the front portion 36D1 of the rod guide portion 36D of the wire frame 36 from the left side, similar to the first embodiment. As a result, the rod 62 is allowed to be displaced vertically (see arrow D in Figure 14), while displacement to the right (outward in the sheet width direction) (see arrow R in Figure 15) and rearward is restricted.

[0055] In this second embodiment, the configuration other than that described above is the same as in the first embodiment. Therefore, many parts can be shared between the first embodiment, which does not have an actuator 88, and the second embodiment, which has an actuator 88. In addition, in this second embodiment as well, the tilting of the rod 62 in the seat width direction is suppressed by contact with a part 40A of the pad 40, so that the tilting of the rod 62 prevents the strap 64 from tilting in the seat width direction.

[0056] Furthermore, in this second embodiment, since the rod 62 is prevented from tilting outward in the seat width direction as described above, it is possible to prevent insufficient upward stroke of the rod 62 when the actuator 88 is operated. In other words, in a configuration without a rod guide portion 36D, as shown in the comparative example in Figure 16, the rod 62 may tilt outward in the seat width direction when the actuator 88 is operated, as shown in Figure 17. As a result, the upward stroke of the rod 62 becomes insufficient, and the lock body 52 cannot be released, but this can be avoided in this embodiment.

[0057] <Third Embodiment> Figures 18 and 19 show the configuration of the area surrounding the seat back locking device 100 in a vehicle seat according to the third embodiment of the present invention, in perspective view and exploded perspective view, respectively. This locking device 100 has a rod 62 that has a different configuration from the rod 62 according to the first embodiment.

[0058] In the third embodiment, the rod 62 is composed of a first longitudinal extension 62A extending upward from the unlocking member 60, a first transverse extension 62B extending to the left (inward in the sheet width direction) from the upper end of the first longitudinal extension 62A, a second longitudinal extension 62F extending upward from the left end of the first transverse extension 62B, a second transverse extension 62G extending to the left from the upper end of the second longitudinal extension 62F, and a third transverse extension 62H extending to the right from the left end of the second transverse extension 62G.

[0059] The longitudinal extension 62A constitutes the base end of the rod 62, the first transverse extension 62B and the second longitudinal extension 62F constitute the middle section of the rod 62, and the second transverse extension 62G and the third transverse extension 62H constitute the tip of the rod 62. The lower end of the strap 64 is connected to the second transverse extension 62G.

[0060] Furthermore, in this locking device 100, the rod guide portion 36E of the wire frame 36 extends downward from the left-right central part of the front portion 36C. The rod guide portion 36E is a part of the wire frame 36 that is bent downward, forming a roughly U-shape. The front portion 36C is divided into left and right sections. The left end of the left portion of the front portion 36C is connected to the front end of the left side portion 36B, and the right end of the right portion of the front portion 36C is connected to the front end of the right side portion 36A.

[0061] The rod guide section 36E has a right section 36E1 extending downward from the left end of the right side of the front section 36C, and a left section 36E2 extending downward from the right end of the left side of the front section 36C, with the lower end of the right section 36E1 and the lower end of the left section 36E2 connected. The lower part of the rod guide section 36C is bent diagonally toward the rear.

[0062] The second longitudinal extension 62F of the rod 62 engages (in this case, makes point contact) with the lower part of the left portion 36E2 of the rod guide portion 36E from the left side. As a result, the rod 62 is allowed to be displaced vertically (see arrow D in Figure 20), while its displacement to the right (outward in the sheet width direction) is restricted (see arrow R in Figure 21).

[0063] As shown in Figures 22 and 23, when the rod 62 moves between the non-operating position (indicated by a solid line in Figure 23) and the operating position (indicated by a dashed line in Figure 23), the second longitudinal extension 62F of the rod 62 is configured to make point contact with the same location P at the lower part of the left section 36E2.

[0064] In this third embodiment, the configuration other than that described above is the same as in the first embodiment. In this third embodiment as well, the tilting of the rod 62 in the seat width direction is suppressed by contact with a part 40A of the pad 40, so that the tilting of the rod 62 can be suppressed from causing the strap 64 to tilt in the seat width direction.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a portion of the wire frame 36 to which a part of the trim cover 42 of the seat back 14R is locked is bent to form the rod guide portion 36E. Therefore, the rod guide portion 36E can be provided simply by changing the shape of the existing wire frame 36, and there is no need to add any new parts.

[0066] Furthermore, in this third embodiment, the strap 64 is connected to the tip of the rod 62 and the middle portion of the rod 62 is engaged with the rod guide portion 36E, making it easier to connect the strap 64 to the tip of the rod 62 compared to a configuration in which the strap 64 is connected to the middle portion of the rod 62.

[0067] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the guide engagement portion 62F of the rod 62 is in point contact with the rod guide portion 36E, the resistance when stroking the rod 62 from the non-operating position to the operating position is small. This reduces the influence on the operating load of the strap 64. Moreover, since the metal rod 62 is in contact with the metal rod guide portion 36E, it is easier to prevent deterioration over time compared to, for example, the case where the rod guide portion is made of resin.

[0068] <Fourth Embodiment> Figures 24 and 25 show the configuration of the area surrounding the seat back locking device 110 in a vehicle seat according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, in perspective view and exploded perspective view, respectively. This locking device 110 has an actuator 88 that displaces the rod 62 upward. The actuator 88 is the same as the actuator 88 in the second embodiment, and the first lateral extension 62B of the rod 62 is positioned between the movable part 92 of the actuator body 90 and the opposing wall 90A. When the movable part 92 is displaced upward by the driving force of the actuator body 90, the rod 62 is pushed up to the operating position by the movable part 92, and the lock of the locking body 52 (i.e., the restriction of rotation of the seat back 14R) is released.

[0069] The second longitudinal extension 62F of the rod 62 is in point contact with the left portion 36E2 of the rod guide portion 36E of the wire frame 36 from the left side, similar to the third embodiment. As a result, the rod 62 is allowed to be displaced vertically (see arrow D in Figure 26), while its displacement to the right (outward in the sheet width direction) is restricted (see arrow R in Figure 27).

[0070] In this fourth embodiment, the configuration other than that described above is the same as in the third embodiment. Therefore, many parts can be shared between the third embodiment, which does not have an actuator 88, and the fourth embodiment, which has an actuator 88. In addition, in this fourth embodiment as well, the rod guide portion 36E prevents the rod 62 from tilting in the seat width direction, so that the tilt of the rod 62 prevents the strap 64 from tilting in the seat width direction.

[0071] Furthermore, in this fourth embodiment, since the rod 62 is prevented from tilting outward in the seat width direction as described above, it is possible to prevent insufficient upward stroke of the rod 62 when the actuator 88 is operated.

[0072] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to several embodiments, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications without departing from its spirit. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 10 Vehicle seats 12 seat cushions 14 Seatback 18 frames 36D Rod Guide Section 36E Rod Guide Section 40 pads Part of the 40A pad 44 Through holes 50 Locking device 52 Lock body 60. Lock release member 62 rods 64 straps 80 Locking device 88 Actuators 100 Locking device 110 Locking device

Claims

1. A lock body having a lock release member that is provided on the side of the seat back of a vehicle seat, engages with a striker provided on the side of the vehicle body, and releases the engagement when operated upwards on the seat, A strap is inserted through a through-hole formed in the shoulder area of ​​the seat back, along the vertical direction of the seat, A rod connecting the aforementioned unlocking member and the aforementioned strap, A rod guide portion is formed by a part of the frame of the seat back, engages with the rod, allows the rod to move vertically in the seat direction, and restricts the rod's movement in the seat width direction; A seatback locking device equipped with [a specific feature].

2. The frame has a wire frame to which a portion of the trim cover of the seat back is secured. The seat back locking device according to claim 1, wherein the rod guide portion is formed by bending a part of the wire frame.

3. The aforementioned strap is connected to the middle part of the aforementioned rod, The seat back locking device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the rod guide portion is engaged with the tip of the rod.

4. The aforementioned strap is connected to the tip of the aforementioned rod, The seat back locking device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the rod guide portion is engaged with the intermediate portion of the rod.

5. A seat back locking device according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising an actuator for displacing the rod upwards on the seat.

6. The seat cushion on which the vehicle's occupants sit, A seat back is rotatably connected to the vehicle body and supports the back of the occupant, A seat back locking device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the locking body is provided on the side of the seat back, and the strap is inserted through a through hole formed in the shoulder of the seat back, A vehicle seat equipped with [a specific feature / feature].

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